Method of improving nail health

ABSTRACT

A method for use with a toenail or fingernail including a nail plate with a distal nail tip and a distal overgrown portion of a cuticle extending onto the nail plate. The method includes removing, with an electric powered rotatory sanding tool, the distal overgrown portion of the cuticle from the nail plate. The nail plate is buffed after removing the distal overgrown portion of the cuticle. The nail plate is cleaned after buffing the nail plate. A layer of an ultraviolet curable gel is applied to the nail plate by using a brush to push the ultraviolet curable gel onto the nail plate. The layer of the ultraviolet curable gel is exposed to an ultraviolet light source for a sufficient amount of time to cure the layer of the ultraviolet curable gel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed generally to methods of manicuringnails and repairing damaged nails.

Description of the Related Art

FIGS. 1A and 1B show some of the anatomy of a toenail or fingernail(referred to as a nail 10). Referring to FIG. 1A, the nail 10 includes anail plate 12 that grows from a nail root 14. Referring to FIG. 1B,sides 20 and 22 of the nail plate 12 extend from the nail root 14 to adistal nail tip 16. Sidewalls 24 and 26 are portions of the skin of thefinger or toe positioned alongside the sides 20 and 22, respectively. Acuticle 18 is a layer of dead skin cells that cover a portion of thenail plate 12 near the nail root 14. The cuticle 18 may include a distalovergrown portion 19 that extends onto the nail plate 12.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the nail plate 12 protects a nail bed 30, which isskin under the nail plate 12. The nail bed 30 includes a matrix 32,which produces cells of the nail root 14. As new cells are made, theypush older cells forward toward the distal nail tip 16 causing the oldercells to become compressed, flat, and translucent. This allowscapillaries in the nail bed 30 to be viewable through the nail plate 12as a pinkish color. The width and thickness of the nail plate 12 isdetermined by the size, length, and thickness of the matrix 32. Thematrix 32 continues to produce the cells of the nail root 14 as long asthe matrix 32 receives nutrition and remains healthy. The nail bed 30includes a dermis layer below an epidermis layer. Both the nail plate 12and the epidermis layer move toward the distal nail tip 16 as they grow.

Unfortunately, the nail bed 30 may be abused and damaged by everydayactivities. This destroys blood vessels and makes the knuckle nearestthe nail 10 difficult to bend because cartilage will build up aroundjoint. This damage can also reduce the size and/or thickness of the nail10 if the matrix 32 is damaged.

For these reasons, many people manicure their nails to help preserve thenail bed 30 and/or the nail plate 12. Some people wear prosthetic nails(e.g., acrylic nails) as a way of protecting their nail beds and/or thenail plates.

Therefore a need exists for methods of protecting the nail bed 30 and/orthe nail plate 12. Methods that promote blood vessel growth and/orhealth would be particularly desirable. The present application providesthese and other advantages as will be apparent from the followingdetailed description and accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1A is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a nail that may be atoenail or a fingernail.

FIG. 1B is a top view of the nail of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating components of a kit that may beused to manicure the nail of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method of preparing the nail of FIGS. 1Aand 1B for the application of a gel.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method of applying a gel nail polish tothe nail of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method of applying a builder gel to thenail of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a base gel being applied to the nail of FIGS.1A and 1B.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a bead of builder gel on a gel brush before thebuilder gel is applied to the nail of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

Like reference numerals have been used in the figures to identify likecomponents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a kit 100 that may be used to protect thenail bed 30 (see FIG. 1A) and/or the nail plate 12 (see FIG. 1A). Thekit 100 may be used to manicure the nail 10 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). Thekit 100 includes an electric powered rotary sanding tool 110 (e.g., aDREMEL® rotary tool with a sanding or grinding attachment), one or moreapplication tools 112, an ultraviolet (“UV”) light source 114, rubbingalcohol 116, a buffing tool 118, a nail file 119, a base gel 120, a gelpolish 122, a top gel 124, and a builder gel 130. The applicationtool(s) 112 may include a gel brush 140, one or more nail polishapplicators or brushes 142, one or more cotton balls 144, and the like.The base gel 120, the gel polish 122, the top gel 124, and/or thebuilder gel 130 may help the body rebuild damaged blood vessels in thenail bed 30 (see FIG. 1A).

The base gel 120 may be implemented as a UV curable organic gel. Thebase gel 120 may include nail strengthening agents (e.g., di-hematrimethylhexyl dicarbamate, hema, cyclohexyl methacrylate, and thelike), a photoinitiator for UV light (e.g., hydroxycyclohexyl phenylketone), one or more coloring agents (e.g., violet 2), and one or morefruit extracts. For example, the base gel 120 may include about 45% toabout 55% by weight of di-hema trimethylhexyl dicarbamate, about 10% toabout 15% by weight of cyclohexyl methacrylate, about 30% to about 35%by weight of hema, about 3% to about 5% by weight of hydroxycyclohexylphenyl ketone, up to about 1% by weight of violet 2, and about 2% toabout 5% by weight of fruit extracts.

The gel polish 122 may be implemented as a UV curable organic gel. Thegel polish 122 may include nail strengthening agents (e.g., di-hematrimethylhexyl dicarbamate, hema, and the like), a photoinitiator for UVlight (e.g., hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone), one or more naturalpigments, and one or more fruit extracts. For example, the gel polish122 may include about 60% to about 70% by weight of di-hematrimethylhexyl dicarbamate, about 25% to about 30% by weight of hema,about 3% to about 5% by weight of hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, about3% to about 8% by weight of natural pigments, and about 2% to about 5%by weight of fruit extracts.

The top gel 124 may be implemented as a UV curable organic gel. The topgel 124 may include nail strengthening agents (e.g., di-hematrimethylhexyl dicarbamate, hydroxypropyl methacrylate, hema, and thelike), a photoinitiator for UV light (e.g., hydroxycyclohexyl phenylketone), one or more coloring agents (e.g., violet 2), and one or morefruit extracts. For example, the top gel 124 may include about 40% toabout 50% by weight of di-hema trimethylhexyl dicarbamate, about 20% toabout 25% by weight of hydroxypropyl methacrylate, about 25% to about32% by weight of hema, about 2% to about 4% by weight ofhydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, up to about 1% by weight of violet 2,and about 2% to about 5% by weight of fruit extracts.

The builder gel 130 may be implemented as a UV curable organic gel. Thebuilder gel 130 may include nail strengthening agents (e.g.,hydroxypropyl methacrylate), methacrylate oligomer, monomer (e.g.,acrylic liquid), a photoinitiator for UV light (e.g., hydroxycyclohexylphenyl ketone), phosphine oxide ester, and one or more pigments. Forexample, the builder gel 130 may include about 38% to about 50% byweight of methacrylate oligomer, about 20% to about 30% by weight ofhydroxypropyl methacrylate, about 14% to about 18% by weight of monomer,about 3% to about 8% by weight of hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, about2% to about 8% by weight of phosphine oxide ester, and about 0.01% toabout 10% by weight of pigments.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method 200 of preparing the nail plate 12for the application of the base gel 120 (see FIG. 2), the gel polish 122(see FIG. 2), the top gel 124 (see FIG. 2), and/or the builder gel 130(see FIGS. 2 and 7).

In first block 210, the rotary sanding tool 110 (see FIG. 2) is used toremove the distal overgrown portion 19 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) of thecuticle 18 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6) extending longitudinally onto thenail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6). Referring to FIG. 2, byremoving the distal overgrown portion 19 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) of thecuticle 18 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6) more of the nail plate 12 (seeFIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6) is available to receive the base gel 120, the gelpolish 122, the top gel 124, and/or the builder gel 130.

Then, in block 220 (see FIG. 3), the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B,and 6) may be buffed using the buffing tool 118. Referring to FIG. 1A,this may smooth the outer surface of the nail plate 12, including anyportions made rough (e.g., scratched) by the rotary sanding tool 110(see FIG. 2) in block 210 (see FIG. 3). Buffing may also help remove anyof the distal overgrown portion 19 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) of the cuticle18 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6) adhered to the outer surface of the nailplate 12.

In block 230 (see FIG. 3), the nail plate 12 is cleaned to remove anyparticles created by the rotary sanding tool 110 (see FIG. 2) and/or thebuffing tool 118 (see FIG. 2). By way of a non-limiting example, thenail plate 12 may be cleaned using one of the cotton ball(s) 144 (seeFIG. 2) and the rubbing alcohol 116 (see FIG. 2). Then, referring toFIG. 3, the method 200 terminates. If the rubbing alcohol 116 (see FIG.2) is used in block 230 to clean the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B,and 6), the method 200 ends when the rubbing alcohol 116 has dried.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method 300 of applying nail polish to thenail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6). In first block 310, the method200 (see FIG. 3) is performed to prepare the nail plate 12 (see FIGS.1A, 1B, and 6). Then, in block 320, a layer of the base gel 120 (seeFIG. 2) is applied to the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6).Referring to FIG. 6, the layer of the base gel 120 may be applied usinga first one of the nail polish brush(es) 142. However, instead ofpainting the base gel 120 onto the nail plate 12 (by pulling the firstbrush 142 along the nail plate 12 toward the distal nail tip 16) as istraditionally done, the base gel 120 is pushed onto the nail plate 12with the first brush 142 toward the cuticle 18 (in a directionidentified by an arrow 322) and the sides 20 and 22 (see FIG. 1B). Thebase gel 120 is applied to very near a remaining portion of the cuticle18. Referring to FIG. 1B, the sidewalls 24 and 26 along the oppositesides 20 and 22, respectively, of the nail plate 12 are lightly pulledaway from the nail plate 12 so that the base gel 120 (see FIGS. 2 and 6)may be pushed onto the sides 20 and 22 of the nail plate 12.

Referring to FIG. 4, in block 330, the layer of the base gel 120 (seeFIGS. 2 and 6) is cured. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the layer ofthe base gel 120 may be placed under the UV light source 114 for asufficient amount of time to allow the base gel 120 to cure.

Referring to FIG. 6, in block 340 (see FIG. 4), a layer of the gelpolish 122 (see FIG. 2) is applied to the nail plate 12 over the basegel 120. The layer of the gel polish 122 (see FIG. 2) may be applied insubstantially the same manner in which the layer of the base gel 120 wasapplied to the nail plate 12 in block 320 (see FIG. 4). For example, thelayer of the gel polish 122 (see FIG. 2) may be pushed onto the nailplate 12 using a second one of the nail polish brush(es) 142 (see FIG.2). However, more gel polish 122 than base gel 120 may be applied to thenail plate 12. For example, the layer of the gel polish 122 (see FIG. 2)may include as much of the gel polish 122 as possible so the gel polish122 may be absorbed by the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6) tohelp strengthen the nail plate 12 and/or repair damage to the nail plate12.

Referring to FIG. 4, in block 350, the layer of the gel polish 122 (seeFIG. 2) is cured. The layer of the gel polish 122 (see FIG. 2) may becured in substantially the same manner in which the base gel 120 (seeFIGS. 2 and 6) was cured in block 330. For example, referring to FIG. 2,the layer of the gel polish 122 may be placed under the UV light source114 for a sufficient amount of time to allow the gel polish 122 to cure.

Referring to FIG. 4, in decision block 360, whether to apply anotherlayer of the gel polish 122 (see FIG. 2) is decided. If the user decidesto apply another layer, the decision in decision block 360 is “YES.”Otherwise, the decision in decision block 360 is “NO.”

When decision in decision block 360 is “YES,” the user returns to block340. However, in block 340, instead of pushing the gel polish 122 (seeFIG. 2) onto the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6), the gel polish122 is floated over the previous layer of gel polish 122.

When the decision in decision block 360 is “NO,” in optional block 370,the user may apply a layer of the top gel 124 (see FIG. 2) over the gelpolish 122 (see FIG. 2). Referring to FIG. 6, the layer of the top gel124 (see FIG. 2) may be applied in substantially the same manner inwhich the layer of the base gel 120 was applied to the nail plate 12 inblock 320 (see FIG. 4). For example, the layer of the top gel 124 (seeFIG. 2) may be pushed onto the nail plate 12 using a third one of thenail polish brush(es) 142 (see FIG. 2).

Next, referring to FIG. 4, in optional block 380, the layer of the topgel 124 (see FIG. 2) is cured. The top gel 124 (see FIG. 2) may be curedin substantially the same manner in which the base gel 120 (see FIGS. 2and 6) was cured in block 330. For example, the layer of the top gel 124(see FIG. 2) may be placed under the UV light source 114 (see FIG. 2)for a sufficient amount of time to allow the layer of the top gel 124 tocure. Then, the method 300 terminates. In embodiments in which optionalblocks 370 and 380 are omitted, the method 300 terminates when thedecision in decision block 360 is “NO.”

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method 400 of applying the builder gel 130(see FIGS. 2 and 7) to the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6). Thebuilder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) may be characterized as being athick layer that provides many of the same benefits as wearing acrylicnails.

In first block 410, the method 200 (see FIG. 3) is performed to preparethe nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6). Then, in block 420, a firstlayer of the builder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) is applied to the nailplate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6). Referring to FIG. 2, the first layerof the builder gel 130 may be applied using the gel brush 140.

Referring to FIG. 6, instead of painting the builder gel 130 onto thenail plate 12 (by pulling the gel brush 140 along the nail plate 12toward the distal nail tip 16) as is traditionally done withconventional nail polish, the builder gel 130 is pushed onto the nailplate 12 with the gel brush 140 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) toward the cuticle18 (in the direction identified by the arrow 322) and the sides 20 and22 (see FIG. 1B). The builder gel 130 is applied to very near theremaining portion of the cuticle 18. Referring to FIG. 1B, the sidewalls24 and 26 along the opposite sides 20 and 22, respectively, of the nailplate 12 are lightly pulled away from the nail plate 12 so that thebuilder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) may be pushed onto the sides 20 and22 of the nail plate 12. The builder gel 130 is applied to the sides 20and 22 because the nail plate 12 will get wider when the nail plate 12is healthy. Thus, the builder gel 130 helps rebuild the nail plate 12.

Referring to FIG. 5, in block 430, the builder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and7) applied to the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6) is cured. Forexample, referring to FIG. 2, the builder gel 130 may be placed underthe UV light source 114 for a sufficient amount of time to allow thelayer of the builder gel 130 to cure.

Then, referring to FIG. 5, in block 440, a second thicker layer of thebuilder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) is applied to the nail plate 12 (seeFIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6) over the first layer of the builder gel 130.Referring to FIG. 7, in block 440 (see FIG. 5), the user picks up a bead442 of the builder gel 130 and places the bead 442 in the middle (orcenter) of the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6). Then, referringto FIG. 1B, the user uses the gel brush 140 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) to pickup and push the bead 442 toward the cuticle 18 and the sidewalls 24 and26. The sidewalls 24 and 26 along the opposite sides 20 and 22,respectively, of the nail plate 12 are lightly pulled away from the nailplate 12 so that the builder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) may be pushedonto the sides 20 and 22 of the nail plate 12. The user also uses thegel brush 140 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) to pull or move the builder gel 130toward the distal nail tip 16.

Referring to FIG. 5, in block 450, the second thicker layer of thebuilder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) is cured. For example, referring toFIG. 2, the builder gel 130 may be placed under the UV light source 114for a sufficient amount of time to allow the second thicker layer of thebuilder gel 130 to cure.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the outer surface of the cured second thickerlayer of the builder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) will be smooth andlevel and does not need to be buffed or filed. However, some excessbuilder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) may be extending from or overhangingthe distal nail tip 16. Referring to FIG. 5, in block 460, the nail file119 (see FIG. 2) is used to file the distal nail tip 16 (see FIGS. 1Aand 1B) to remove any excess portions of the builder gel 130 (see FIGS.2 and 7) that may be extending from or overhanging the distal nail tip16. In other words, filing is used to clean up any excess builder gel130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) on the distal nail tip 16 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B).Then, the method 400 terminates.

Applying the first and second layers of the builder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2and 7) is analogous to putting armor (or a cast) on the nail plate 12(see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6) that protects the nail plate 12 from damage.The first and second layers of the builder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7)allow the body to rebuild vessels providing improved circulation andblood flow.

The foregoing described embodiments depict different componentscontained within, or connected with, different other components. It isto be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary,and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented whichachieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangementof components to achieve the same functionality is effectively“associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, anytwo components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality canbe seen as “associated with” each other such that the desiredfunctionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedialcomponents. Likewise, any two components so associated can also beviewed as being “operably connected,” or “operably coupled,” to eachother to achieve the desired functionality.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that,based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from this invention and its broader aspects and,therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope allsuch changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scopeof this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that theinvention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will beunderstood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein,and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appendedclaims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations).

Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appendedclaims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for use with a toenail orfingernail comprising a nail plate with a distal nail tip, a distalovergrown portion of a cuticle extending onto the nail plate, the methodcomprising: removing, with an electric powered rotatory sanding tool,the distal overgrown portion of the cuticle from the nail plate; buffingthe nail plate after removing the distal overgrown portion of thecuticle; cleaning the nail plate after buffing the nail plate; applyinga layer of an ultraviolet curable gel to the nail plate by using a brushto push the ultraviolet curable gel onto the nail plate; and exposingthe layer of the ultraviolet curable gel to an ultraviolet light sourcefor a sufficient amount of time to cure the layer of the ultravioletcurable gel.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the nail plate is cleanedwith rubbing alcohol after the nail plate is buffed.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the ultraviolet curable gel is a builder gel, the layeris a first layer, and the method further comprises: applying a secondlayer of the ultraviolet curable gel to the nail plate, the nail platehaving a center, the second layer being thicker than the first layer,the second layer being applied by: (a) picking up a bead of the buildergel with a gel brush, (b) placing the builder gel in the center of thenail plate, and (c) pushing the builder gel toward the cuticle and sidesof the nail plate; exposing the second layer of the ultraviolet curablegel to the ultraviolet light source for a sufficient amount of time tocure the second layer of the ultraviolet curable gel, an outer surfaceof the cured second layer being smooth without having been buffed toobtain smoothness; and filing the distal nail tip after the second layerhas cured.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the builder gel comprises:about 38% to about 50% methacrylate oligomer, about 20% to about 30%hydroxypropyl methacrylate, about 14% to about 18% monomer, about 3% toabout 8% hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, and about 2% to about 8%phosphine oxide ester.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the ultravioletcurable gel is a base gel comprising: at least about 85% by weight ofnail strengthening agents; and about 3% to about 5% by weight of aphotoinitiator for ultraviolet light.
 6. The method of claim 5, whereinthe nail strengthening agents comprise: about 45% to about 55% by weightof di-hema trimethylhexyl dicarbamate, about 10% to about 15% by weightof cyclohexyl methacrylate, and about 30% to about 35% by weight ofhema.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the photoinitiator forultraviolet light is hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the ultraviolet curable gel is a base gel, the layer isa first layer, the brush is a first brush, and the method furthercomprises: applying a second layer of an ultraviolet curable gel polishto the nail plate over the first layer by using a second brush to pushthe ultraviolet curable gel polish onto the first layer; and exposingthe second layer of the ultraviolet curable gel polish to theultraviolet light source for a sufficient amount of time to cure thesecond layer of the ultraviolet curable gel polish.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the ultraviolet curable gel polish comprises: at leastabout 85% by weight of nail strengthening agents; and about 3% to about5% by weight of a photoinitiator for ultraviolet light.
 10. The methodof claim 9, wherein the nail strengthening agents comprise: about 60% toabout 70% by weight of di-hema trimethylhexyl dicarbamate, and about 25%to about 30% by weight of hema.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein thephotoinitiator for ultraviolet light is hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone.12. The method of claim 8, further comprising: applying a third layer ofthe ultraviolet curable gel polish to the nail plate over the secondlayer by using the second brush to push the ultraviolet curable gelpolish onto the second layer; and exposing the third layer of theultraviolet curable gel polish to the ultraviolet light source for asufficient amount of time to cure the third layer of the ultravioletcurable gel polish.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:applying a fourth layer of an ultraviolet curable top gel to the nailplate over the third layer by using a third brush to push theultraviolet curable gel polish onto the third layer; and exposing thefourth layer of the ultraviolet curable top gel to the ultraviolet lightsource for a sufficient amount of time to cure the fourth layer of theultraviolet curable top gel.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein theultraviolet curable top gel comprises: at least about 85% by weight ofnail strengthening agents; and about 2% to about 4% by weight of aphotoinitiator for ultraviolet light.
 15. The method of claim 14,wherein the nail strengthening agents comprise: about 40% to about 50%by weight of di-hema trimethylhexyl dicarbamate, about 20% to about 25%by weight of hydroxypropyl methacrylate, and about 25% to about 32% byweight of hema.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the photoinitiatorfor ultraviolet light is hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone.